Mirette works daily in her mother's boardinghouse doing laundry, cleaning, assisting in the kitchen and running errands. Most of the guests came from the entertainment world, so someone finally recognized the man who had wanted to take his meals alone in his secluded room. After seeing the lodger balance himself on the clothesline, Mirette had already become acquainted with the retired high-wire walker and begged him to teach her that skill. "Once you start, your feet are never happy again on the ground," he told the child who then practiced in secret. Nineteenth-century Paris is the setting for this story of about overcoming fear, taking risks and establishing trust that is illustrated with full-color paintings. (Ages 6-9)